Life at DHG Podcast Series

Episode 73: Financial Focus Month

by DHG

August 8, 2019

In honor of DHG’s IMPACT Financial Focus Month, we spoke with DHG’s own Amy Manning (Senior Manager, DHG Wealth Advisors) about financial wellness for our people and the tools we have available to help us be more financially fit.

AGH: Hello, everyone. Welcome back to another episode of our DHG podcast series.

I’m Alice Grey Harrison, your host. I love this venue because we get to hear about – hear from people about the things that matter the most to us; flexibility, careers and of course, stories about our people.

In honor of Financial Literacy Month, Amy Manning of DHG Wealth Adviser’s is joining us. Amy and I were just talking about college and funding our children’s college. I’m super excited to have her thoughts and wisdom today, to share some of the tools that DHG is bringing to us.

Amy’s a certified financial adviser and she helps create financial security for her clients through a disciplined approach with financial planning. We’re beginning to hear some buzz around financial planning as it relates to the economy and what the downturn might look like, when it’s going to downturn, who knows? It’s almost hard to think about an economic downturn when unemployment is as low as it is and the economy is strong.

In reality, we should always be thinking of our future and planning for a rainy day, because we know that the economy, there are ebbs and flows and we need to be prepared for those.

As part of DHG IMPACT on our overall DHG wellness program, financial wellness is a critical component to our offerings related to corporate social responsibility. It is really important as we think of how DHG cares for our team members. Last year, we introduced an awesome program called Financial Finesse and I’m pleased to welcome Amy with us today.

AM: Hey, it’s good to be here.

AGH: We’re back today to talk about Financial Finesse. Can you tell us about this program?

AM: Absolutely. DHG partnered with Financial Finesse last year, to provide financial education to our people through an online learning center, a coaching line and a mobile app.

Through that, we have asset articles, videos, blog posts, financial calculators, you name it. We have our phone number we can call to speak with one of their coaches at any time. We’ve also got a tool called the financial wellness assessment that allows you to go on there, take this five-minute quiz and evaluate where you are and identify areas you should focus on in your finances.

The really cool thing about Financial Finesse is that they’re staffed by certified financial planners who gave up their security licenses so that they could provide unbiased advice to employees at no cost. Drumroll please. We just finished our first year with them. Believe it or not, we have over 1,000 users at DHG, which is truly incredible. I think what that told me is that people are eager for this information and are finding it super helpful.

AGH: That’s amazing. I’m so proud that we have a tool that many people who are interested in and have joined it. I know that there’s some changes coming up to this program. Can you tell us about those changes?

AM: Yes. This year, the website has been redesigned. For our existing users, it will look a little bit different the next time they sign in. They are also changing the concept of their financial coaching line. Previously, they called it a helpline. I think that created a bit of a stigma that people could only call if they were having financial trouble, rather than simply normal financial questions that we all have.

The new website has a list of all their coaches with a picture, a bio and areas of expertise that they work in. Their goal is for people to find a coach that they can relate to and build a relationship with, so they will have someone to call when questions come up. As a financial adviser, I can tell you that this a really, really cool benefit, especially because it’s free to all of our people. Anywhere else, you would have to pay for advice like this. I think it’s just a testament to how much DHG cares about all of us.

AGH: Totally agree. Okay, I’m going to play the cynical person at this moment in time.

If I share my information, are they going to share it back to DHG, or is it confidential? How does that work?

AM: Sure. That’s a great question and the answer is yes, the information you share is absolutely confidential. This is important for people who do take the financial wellness assessment. DHG does get a summary of the results, but it’s from a broad demographic standpoint. That way, you know what resources we should be offering from a big picture perspective. Your personal answers and results are only visible to you. You don’t have to worry about that.

AGH: That’s terrific. If people are listening and they want to know more about this, how do they get more information?

AM: The good news is obvious, it is a financial month for DHG IMPACT. You’re going to see planning and communication on the Compass, as well as bringing your local IMPACT committee. We’re also having a webinar on Wednesday, August 14 at noon, Eastern time, that will provide all of this all information.

If you need the link to the site, if you need the app, the info for the app to download, or if you need the coaching line phone number, you can go to the Compass and look under DHG people, DHG benefits and then you’ll see Financial Finesse listed under all of our benefits. Also, make sure to take your financial wellness assessment during the month of August. Because if you do, you’ll be entered into a drawing with the chance to win one of 10 $50 gift cards that we’ll be giving away.

AGH: That sounds good.

AM: Yeah, well incentives.

AGH: Yeah, exactly. All right, so I was picking your brain on some financial questions I had before we started talking. For everyone listening, what is the number one tip that you might offer people as they begin thinking about their financial future?

AM: Great question. I think I’d say to be intentional. People don’t become financially successful by accident. If you’re so focused on keeping up with the Joneses today and that causes you to live beyond your means, chances are you’re doing it at the expense of your future. When you manage your finances with intention, you know where your money is going.

You have a plan and your all set. You always pay yourself first in the form of savings and you know that your sacrificing today will pay off down the road.

AGH: That’s amazing. Great tip. Well, thank you so much for all that you do. People may not realize this, but Amy is the chair of the financial wellness aspect of our IMPACT committee. She does an enormous amount of work for the firm to bring Financial Finesse to us and to help share her knowledge with all of us, to make us all more financial fit. Thank you so much, Amy.

AM: Oh, it’s my pleasure.

AGH: Thank you all for listening to Life at DHG, our premier podcast series. If you like what you just heard, we hope you’ll tell your friends and colleagues. Be sure to check out our DHG blog for more great stories about our life beyond numbers. Join us next time for another edition of Life at DHG.

Episode 47: The Intersection of Business, Diversity and Leadership

Episode 46: Building Energy Through Movement

Episode 45: Leading by Example – Heroines of Washington

A role you love in a location you love.

Find the career you’ve always wanted, where you've always wanted it. DHG currently has teams in 13 states – so whether you
like the excitement of a big city, or a more laid-back lifestyle in a smaller market, we have a place for both your life and your
career to flourish. And while the culture surrounding each office is unique, when you go through the doors, you'll find that our
values are constant – people just like you enjoying their careers and enjoying their lives.